Obituary of Cleo Joan McClure

Cleo Joan McClure of Belle Vernon, formerly West Bolivar died October 6, 2014 at the age of 78. She was born in West Wheatfield Township and was the first child of the late William Thomas Baird and Bessie Almeda Baird (Shetler). Cleo attended West Bolivar Elementary and graduated with the class of 1954 from Laurel Valley High School. She joined the United States Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict Era and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. She loved children and retired from Ligonier Valley School District where she was employed as a teacher's aide at both Bolivar and Laurel Valley Elementary for many years. Cleo loved to go dancing in her younger years and to the casino in her golden ones. She enjoyed watching her many children perform on the football field from the hill in front of the school where she worked. Her grandchildren where her delight and she always kept them on their toes. She enjoyed catching anyone off guard with one of her practical jokes or very funny birthday cards. Cleo was an avid reader and dabbed a little in poetry. Many of us were taste testers for her "new recipe" but to her nothing was better than the first tomato out of the garden. Her sense of humor and her compassionate giving spirit will be missed by those whom she left behind including her husband of 46 years, Earl E. McClure of Belle Vernon, formerly West Bolivar. She is also survived by four sons, Kevin M. McClure of Quartzsite, AZ, Gary B. McClure (Sara) of Carbondale, Co, Thomas W. McClure of South Park, and Darren E. McClure (Marinn) of Fairfax, VA. Her two surviving daughters are Lisa A. Spekis (Bob) of Belle Vernon, and Wendy J. Everson of Colorado Springs, Co. Cleo has two siblings Carrie Darlene Mehalic of Riverview, FL and Thomas Wayne Baird of Clarksburg. Those most loved by Cleo are her grandchildren Meghan, Jim and David Johnson, Hannah and Rachel Everson, Robby Spekis and Case McClure. Family and friends will be received at Kenneth A. Stuart Funeral Home, 139 Ligonier St., New Florence, on Saturday October 11 from noon till time of memorial service at 2 PM. Interment to follow at Bethel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to her favorite charity, the Salvation Army, or to those who took such wonderful care of her. Family Hospice inpatient Facility in Mt. Lebanon, PA